Karen Ruggero, born in Cherry Hill, NJ, has followed her creative flair from an early age. Having dabbled in the performing arts (music and theater), she has, over the last three years, devoted herself fully to developing her skills as an artist. Instructed in art at the Associates of Arts school in Sherman Oaks, CA, she has demonstrated a great aptitude for pastel painting, as well as sculpture. "There is much of interest to be found in light areas," she says, "but sometimes, when you search the shadows, you are delightfully surprised with what you find." Ruggero strives to combine the two within her work, using both to create mood and atmosphere. Her paintings exude her love for metaphor, and her continuing interest in music reflects largely in her subject matter. She is now based in Los Angeles, California.